Study Finds Trump Deportations Reducing Job Opportunities for Americans

The Trump administration launched an expanded immigration enforcement campaign following the 2024 election, with deportations accelerating across multiple industries. Sectors including construction, agriculture, and hospitality have historically relied on immigrant labor to fill roles facing persistent domestic worker shortages. Economists have debated whether removing undocumented workers would open positions for American-born workers or instead shrink economic activity in ways that reduce total employment. This study adds quantitative findings to that debate at a moment when housing construction is already under pressure from elevated interest rates and rising materials costs.